Holding On: Syndie Sees Less Ratings Drop Than Broadcast

Syndication's top-rated shows have seen a ratings erosion this year. But it may not be as severe as the double-digit declines of some broadcast network shows.

In comparing category-by-category, daytime talk, court and evening magazine shows, court programs have generally fared better than sinking off-network sitcoms.

Season-to-date through June, the weekday airings of "Everybody Loves Raymond" drifted 16% to a Nielsen NTI 6.8 household rating, versus the year before. "Seinfeld" sank 26% off its pace of a year ago to a 5.1. "Friends" slipped 33% to a 4.2 rating versus last season. "That 70s Show" lost 19%, landing at a 4.2 rating, too.

"There is nothing really new coming down the sitcom pipeline," explains Brad Adgate, senior vice president and corporate research director for Horizon Media. The major exception is that of "King of Queens," which soared 32% to a 4.5 this season.

Overall, Adgate says syndication numbers are relatively stable versus a year ago.

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Some of the high-rated talk shows, though, have fared better. "The Oprah Winfrey Show" lost 11% to earn a 6.4; "Dr. Phil" is off 6% to a 5.0; and "Live with Regis & Kelly" succumbed just 6% to a 3.3.

Court shows also registered some declines, but held its ground. "Judge Judy" dropped 5% to a 7.0. "Judge Joe Brown" moved down 9% to a 4.1. "People's Court" lost 10% to a 2.9. The largest drop in this category was "Divorce Court," off a big 22% to a 2.9.

Two prime-time access shows "Entertainment Tonight" and game show "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire" were two of the few that improved versus last year. "ET" moved up 4% to a 5.5, while "Millionaire" grew 9% to a 3.8.

Other magazine shows did well. "Access Hollywood" was flat at a 2.7 rating. "Inside Edition" was just off 3% to 3.5 rating. "Extra" was down 4% to a 2.2 rating.

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